Strong Start for TNT’s Men of a Certain Age

TNT may have another hit on their hands. Their new drama Men of a Certain Age, starring Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula, drew a very solid 5.397 million viewers Monday night.

The show retained a strong 87% of the total audience of lead-in The Closer (which drew 6.18 million viewers on the evening) and improved upon its lead-in in the key demos (2.074 million A18-49/+11% and 2.63 million A25-54/+8%).

The full press release is included after the jump.

TNT’s Critically Acclaimed MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE

Draws 5.4 Million Viewers and Scores Ad-Supported Cable’s

Top New Series Launch of 2009 among Households and Adults 25-54

After receiving strong reviews from critics across the country, TNT’s MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE proved equally popular with viewers Monday night. More than 5.4 million viewers tuned in for the 10 p.m. (ET/PT) premiere of the series, which ranked as ad-supported cable’s top new series launch of 2009 among households (4.1 million) and adults 25-54 (2.6 million). Among key adult demos, MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE delivered strong growth over its lead-in, a new episode of THE CLOSER.

“The response from viewers and critics to MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE has been amazing,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “I’m proud of everyone involved with this wonderful series, especially its creators, Ray Romano and Mike Royce, and the great cast headed by Ray, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula.”

Ratings Highlights:

* TNT’s MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE premiere ranks as ad-supported cable’s top new series launch of 2009 among households (4,113,000) and adults 25-54 (2,630,000).

* MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE scored strong growth over its lead-in (THE CLOSER), with adults 18-49 (2,074,000) up 11% and adults 25-54 (2,630,000) up 8%.

* Overall, MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE was watched by 5,397,000 viewers.

* THE CLOSER scored big deliveries for the first of its three December episodes, with 6,180,000 viewers; 4,562,000 households; 1,875,000 adults 18-49; and 2,431,000 adults 25-54.

MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE explores the unique bonds of male friendship among three men approaching mid-life. Now in their 40s, they have been best friends since college, but they’re finding that life is indeed, as John Lennon once said, “what happens when you’re making other plans.”

The show focuses on Joe (Romano), a friendly, 40-something, slightly neurotic, recently separated father of two who had dreams of being a professional golfer but instead owns and runs a party store. He has two best friends: Owen (Braugher), an overstressed husband and father who is a car salesman at his dad’s dealership; and Terry (Bakula), an offbeat, handsome, intelligent and still-struggling-to-make-it actor. Romano and Royce serve as executive producers with Rory Rosegarten and Cary Hoffman.

TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama and home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Men of a Certain Age, with Ray Romano; Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter; HawthoRNe, with Jada Pinkett Smith; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Dark Blue, starring Dylan McDermott; as well as the newly acquired Southland, from ER creator John Wells. TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, CSI: NY and Numb3rs; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.